Test your basic knowledge |

Trivia: Musical Terms

Subject : trivia
Instructions:
  • Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
  • If you are not ready to take this test, you can study here.
  • Match each statement with the correct term.
  • Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.

This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.
1. The manner in which tones are produced with regard to pitch.






2. The performance of either all instruments of an orchestra or voices in a chorus.






3. A system of notation for stringed instruments. The notes are indicated by the finger positions.






4. A dirge - hymn - or musical service for the repose of the dead.






5. A composition written for eight instruments.






6. The structure of a piece of music.






7. An extended solo - often accompanying the vocal part of an aria.






8. A musical theme given to a particular idea or main character of an opera.






9. Movement in music where the characteristics are crisp and direct.






10. Music that is easy to listen to and understand.






11. Pertaining to the sonata form - a fast movement in triple time.






12. A 17th century dance written in Quadruple time - always beginning on the third beat of the measure.






13. Includes all twelve notes of an octave.






14. Word to indicate the movement or entire composition is to be played very slow and serious.






15. A sequence of chords that brings an end to a phrase - either in the middle or the end of a composition.






16. A symbol used in musical notation indicating to gradually quicken tempo.






17. To shift to another key.






18. Pertains to tone or tones.






19. Time in music history ranging from the middle of the 16th to the middle of the 17th centuries. Characterized by emotional - flowery music; written in strict form.






20. A short piece originally preceded by a more substantial work - also an orchestral introduction to opera - however not lengthy enough to be considered an overture.






21. A Boroque dance with a drone-bass.






22. Time signature with three beats to the measure.






23. A musical form where the melody or tune is imitated by individual parts at regular intervals. The individual parts may enter at different measures and pitches. The tune may also be played at different speeds - backwards - or inverted.






24. A curve over notes to indicate that a phrase is to be played legato.






25. Ability to determine the pitch of a note as it relates to the notes that precede and follow it.






26. Music composed such that each note is used the same number of times.






27. A book of text containing the words of an opera.






28. Piece of instrumental music played between scenes in a play or opera.






29. In sheet music - an instruction to repeat the beginning of the piece before stopping on the final chord.






30. A sequence of songs - perhaps on a single theme - or with texts by one poet - or having continuos narrative.






31. A set of five musicians who perform a composition written for five parts.






32. Slow and stately dance music written in triple time.






33. Three note chords consisting of a root - third - and fifth.






34. Music written for a lively French dance for two performers written in triple time.






35. A short piano piece - often improvisational and intimate in character.






36. A set of four musicians who perform a composition written for four parts.






37. A tempo having slow movement; restful at ease.






38. A complex piece of music. Usually the first movement of the piece serving as the exposition - a development - or recapitulation.






39. The unit of measure where the beats on the lines of the staff are divided up into two - three - four beats to a measure.






40. A composition based on previous work. A common technique used in Medieval and Renaissance music.






41. Music written for a lively French dance for two performers written in triple time.






42. Indicating speed.






43. A line in a contrapuntal work performed by an individual voice or instrument.






44. Combining a number of individual but harmonizing melodies. Also known as counterpoint.






45. Two or three melodic lines played at the same time.






46. Creating variation pitch in a note by quickly alternating between notes.






47. A song or hymn celebrating Christmas.






48. A piece of music written for two vocalists or instrumentalists.






49. Music written to be sung or played in unison.






50. A glissando or portamento. Also refers to the moving part of a trombone.